I am back!! What better way to say that than a review?!
I want to thank TheWriteReads and the author of today’s book. TheWriteReads is such an influential part of the book blogging community. He is incredibly supportive of authors and bloggers alike and I am forever thankful for what he does for all of us. He could bring so many amazing people together in the blogging community. Sometimes blogging can become stressful and just overwhelming. TheWriteReads is one of the reasons I keep going when I am stressed to the max…because it is something bigger than one blog. They always reach out to make sure I am doing alright as well…that shows this is more than a group getting reviews done…it is a family of sorts. It is a community of people who come together to help one another, talk about books we love, and help to support amazing authors. It is a group of individuals who love supporting one another and that…that is priceless!
That being said, be sure to visit TheWriteReads via Twitter to find the other posts and support someone who supports us so much!
I had never heard of this author and I can tell you that I am already looking into the second and third books in the series…so that says something about this.
Today, I am telling you all a little bit more about Riven Realm Book #1, The First of Shadows, by Deck Matthews!! I just might have to grab his other books sooner than I’d planned on…
The First of Shadows (Riven Realm #1)
Author: Deck Matthews
Publisher: Echo Enduring Media
Published: January 22nd, 2019
Book Length: 143 Pages
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction
Buy the book: Amazon
As a raging storm descends on the Blasted Coast, the crippled young rigger, Caleb Rusk, meets a stranger on the road. Little does he know that the encounter will pull him into a conflict that threatens everything he holds dear—and change the course of his life forever.
Meanwhile, in the Capital of Taralius, a string of inexplicable deaths have captured the attention of the Ember Throne. Second Corporal Avendor Tarcoth is tasked with uncovering the truth behind a danger that could threaten the very fabric of the Realm.
The cover, as simple as it may be draws me in. It is similar to other titles in the genre that I have enjoyed. The jewel in the middle looks like an amethyst, being the pagan I am… I was awed and intrigued.
About the Author
He also holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada with his wife, two daughters, and one little fluff ball of a dog named Wicket.
Review
First of all…what a read! I couldn’t put this down and flew through it, instantly looking for the second book. Starting out with an intense fight scene, it pulls you into the thick of the story. The first scene is exactly what an author hopes to create, a perfect hook to get their reader to continue flipping pages.
This is a multiple POV story, meaning we see things from three points of view. Not only that, we see almost three different storylines. For some that might be confusing, I actually enjoyed the changes between POVs. Shem…the drifter. I actually really enjoyed this character. He has mysterious magick…no wonder I liked him. I really want to know more about him. Then there was Caleb. Caleb is crippled but you will have to read to find out how that came to be…it in itself is an interesting story and I actually love his part at the end that deals with his marking. Helping a stranger throws his entire life into chaos, something that he never expected. The things he sees are completely new to him and cause him to feel loss along his journey. Now he has a task and the outcome has the ability to change the world itself. The last character we see the story from is Tiberius. The mage…again, I loved this character. He is no ordinary mage…he’s blind! This reminded me a little of the Book of Eli, amazing talent and skill but no sight. We are introduced to other secondary characters which feel as if they have the potential to become much more primary influences in the story plot. Keep in mind though…this is the first book in the series, we only get a taste of who these people are. I can’t wait to read the second book and see how they meet and interact. I am very curious to learn more about their backstories.
The world-building is very similar to what is expected in most high fantasy novels. The magick system was my favorite part…no surprise there as I am a witch and all. There are so many things I love in this so far; crystals, demons, shadows, different types of magick. I love that this novella leaves it open to expanding and I hate it at the same time. There is much more that needs to be explained but I am excited to see where the author takes this. I want to know more…I crave to know every detail. I would love to know more about their use of crystals within their magick as well.
The fast pace was great but there was one thing that really bothered me. There was so much information crammed into this novella I felt rushed at times, almost as if this entire world was thrown at me too quickly. I want more background on the characters and more scenes between the tense ones. We need the lull between the edge of our seat moments. I love the rest of the story; the plot, characters, world, pace, etc. The way it is told is phenomenal…it just needs more. I wish it were a full-length novel rather than a novella. Then again, it works in the author’s favor because now I am more likely to grab the second book.
The best part is that this book is free on Kindle Unlimited! So what are you waiting for? Go grab your copy so we can read the second book together!
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